On Sunday night, June 12^th, Mayor Scott Fadness was not in Fishers.  He attended an Indianapolis vigil organized by Indy Pride in remembrance of those who died in the Orlando mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub, a place frequented by members of the LGBT community.  It was the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.

The mayor said he had two reasons for attending the Sunday night event in Indy.

The first reason was personal. “I have friends in the gay community that were scared and hurting,” Fadness said.  “I offered to stand with them and show my support.”

The second reason was about a bigger issue in his mind.  “It’s a group I just feel like has been isolated and ostracized,” according to the mayor.  “(Sunday) was once again a tragic reminder of that.”

When I asked Fadness whether the Orlando shooting will impact his decision on whether to ask the Fishers City Council to enact an ordinance protecting the civil rights of LGBT people, the mayor was clear.

“It’s the right thing to do before this happened, and it’s still the right thing to do,” Fadness said.  He will continue to work with members of the city council on the civil rights ordinance, calling those talks “ongoing discussions.”  The mayor says he wants a civil rights ordinance with enough votes on the city council to pass.

It was January of 2012.  The weather was very cold.  I had just retired after 28 years as a federal worker.  I was looking for a project and I found it  in my home town.

I moved here after marrying my lovely wife Jane in 1991.  This place has changed a lot in the last 25 years.  I saw more change coming.  Yet local media was no longer around Fishers as it once was.

I kept track of Fishers local news on a daily basis through the Noblesville Daily Ledger newspaper.  When that it ceased daily publication, I subscribed to the daily Noblesville Times.  But the Times couldn’t weather the economic downturn in the latter part of the previous decade and it too ceased daily publication.

I no longer had a daily news source.  We do have a weekly newspaper, CurrentInFishers, but it is just that, a weekly, which has a Thursday deadline and gets to homes most weeks the following Tuesday.  How would I get current information about what’s happening in Fishers?

I guessed that there were others in Fishers with a desire to know what’s happening now. Therefore, I decided to do it myself.  On that cold evening on January 17th, 2012, I attended my first Fishers Town Council session.  A few days later, I covered my first school board meeting.

When I started this news blog I didn’t even install a counter.  I didn’t want to know how many (or how few) people were reading the news blog aimed at local news in Fishers.  No need to get discouraged early.

It was several months later, when I was approached by a couple of the Fishers Town Council members, that I discovered at least some people were reading my material. Things continued to grow from there.

The more I cover local events, the more I have had the pleasure of getting to know more and more people around Fishers.  What was once a small town of about 11,000 when I first moved here has blossomed into a city of about 90,000 residents.  But what makes Fishers is not the size or growth of the community, it’s the people.  We have plenty of quality people here.

When I approached my 4-year anniversary of writing this blog, it was time to think about what may be ahead.  I met with a good friend who is very tech savvy.  Since I had worked in radio broadcasting years ago, should I start a Podcast?  My friend was direct – a Podcast is a requirement.  He urged me to do it and gave me some invaluable advice on how to get started.

It took a great deal of research and study, but on February 1, 2016, my first Podcasts were posted on the Internet.  Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness was kind enough to appear on the first LarryInFishers local interview Podcast.  I’ve posted over 50 Podcasts since the first of February, including 26 LarryInFishers interview sessions.

However, not all my Podcasting has been successful.  I am a retired Tax Law Specialist and started a daily tax Podcast.  Let’s just say it was not a big success, so I pulled the plug on that series after a few weeks.  I replaced it with a new Podcast called Arts&Fishers which features reviews of local arts events, as well as some reviews of TV programs & films.

After less than 4 and a half months of Podcasting, I surpassed 3,000 plays of my various Podcasts.  For a locally aimed series of Podcasts, that’s a lot of plays.

My thanks to all the Podcast listeners.  You can subscribe to my Podcasts on Soundcloud, iTunes and several other platforms that have picked up my Podcasts.  Or, you can just check this blog regularly.  I feature links in the news feed, plus you can access all my Podcasts by using the “Podcasts” link near the top of this page.

Most of all, I thank all of you for reading this news blog.  As you can see, the blog and Podcasting are volunteer activities for me.  Up to this point, I have not accepted advertising so this has not been a commercial endeavor.

Some people have asked why I don’t seek out ads to make money with this blog.  Frankly, most blogs aimed at a local community don’t get enough traffic to attract advertisers.  So even as the audience for my blog and podcasts grows, I plan to keep this a noncommercial, independent operation for now.  What the future may hold is always up in the air.

So, thanks for your support.  I’ll do my best to keep the content coming.

Last Wednesday night (June 8th) the Subway restaurant at 96th Street and Olio Road was the site of an armed robbery.  Fishers Police searched the area at the time, but could not find a suspect.

Armed robberies are not a routine event in Fishers, and that’s a good thing.  I have just had an update done to my Internet service, so I was down when police announced Friday of an arrest in this case.  Better late than never.

The suspect has been identified as Jonathon Cope, 31, from Greenfield.  Fishers detectives had been trying to locate Cope, but it appears Marion County authorities got to him first. Cope was found to be in the Marion County Jail Friday, held on a charge of fleeing the scene of a robbery.

Fishers Police plan to file felony charges against Cope in connection with the June 8th Subway robbery.

So, some good police work, mixed in with some good luck, led to the suspect in the Subway robbery case.

Local publisher Tom Britt sat down with Larry and talked about Fishers, Geist and his media business

The list of road construction projects for the work week of Monday, June 13th, is longer than the previous list.  We are into the heart of the road construction season.  Projects include city, county and state crews.

Here is the full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers…..

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BRIDGE REPLACEMENT

Effective Monday, June 13^th, the bridge on 106th Street between Allisonville Road and Hague Road will be closed by the Hamilton County Highway Department for replacement. Detour routes will be displayed in the area and access to local traffic will be permitted for residents and businesses. Please direct any questions about this project toalison.krupski@hamiltoncounty.in.gov.

CURB REPAIRS

A contractor will be repairing curb ramps in Bluff and Links at Grey Eagle through the coming weeks. Please anticipate periodic lane restrictions in those areas.

FALL CREEK TRAIL

Fall Creek Trail reconstruction work continues; the pedestrian bridges and section of sidewalk along the trail have been removed. Pedestrians should not use the trail within the sections that have been removed. In addition, there will be periodic lane closures along the project. Please travel with caution, construction barrels have reduced the existing northbound lane width.

I-69 AND CAMPUS PARKWAY

Milestone Contractors has begun mobilizing cranes and other equipment and setting a temporary concrete barrier wall along I-69 at Campus Parkway Exit 210. Work will require alternating lane closures on northbound and southbound I-69 between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Lane closures may recur each night through the end of the week depending on weather and progress. Questions about this project should be directed to INDOT at eastcentralin@indot.in.gov or 1-855-463-6848.

I-69 TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS

INDOT is overseeing an overnight closure on multiple traffic lanes on I-69 overnight this week to continue demolition of the 106th Street overpass bridge. Weather permitting, lane closures and rolling slowdowns of traffic will begin after 9 p.m. and are expected to end before 6 a.m. the next day. Construction schedules and traffic restrictions are subject to change, and questions should be directed to INDOT at indot.carsporgram.org, 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or 511 from a mobile phone.

PAVING

A contractor will be paving streets on Lantern Road from 131st Street to Harrison Parkway, Conner Knoll and Gray Eagle throughout the coming weeks. Please anticipate periodic lane restrictions in those areas.

STATE ROAD 37

Various geotechnical work has begun along the State Road 37 corridor. Work will take place starting at the 126th Street intersection. Learn more atwww.Fishers.in.us/SR37.

96th STREET

There will be lane restrictions on eastbound 96th Street between Allisonville Road and Masters Road between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Work began the evening of June 6th and last until June 25th. All restrictions will take place at night, and barrels with police officers will help direct traffic.

96th STREET AND CUMBERLAND ROAD

The Hamilton County Highway Department has closed 96th Street and Cumberland Road for 100 calendar days in order to construct a roundabout at this intersection. Anyone with concerns about this project should call 773-7770. Please visit www.Fishers.in.us/DriveFishers to view a detour map. The tentative completion date for this project is June 30, 2016.

106th STREET INTERCHANGE

INDOT has begun work on the 106th Street interchange. A lane shift is currently in place on I-69 and 106th Street is closed as construction continues. Additional details about this project will be released through INDOT and shared on the weekly construction update. Please be advised the speed limit from 82nd Street to 116th Street has been reduced to 55 mph and there are lane shifts on I-69. Please travel with caution and pay close attention to signage in the area.

116th STREET

There may be short-term lane restrictions on eastbound 116th Street between USA Parkway and Exit Five Parkway while utility work is being completed.

126th STREET

• Continuing the week of June 16th, there will be intermittent lane restrictions for westbound traffic just west of Promise Road. These restrictions will allow the contractor to construct the entrance into Granite Ridge subdivision. Advance warning signs will be in place including a directional arrow board, as needed.
• Temporary lane restrictions will be in place on 126th Street between Cyntheanne Road and Atlantic Road in order for shoulder work to be completed. Please drive with caution in the area.

With the 4th of July weekend about 3 weeks away, I am already beginning to hear some fireworks as I move around Fishers.  Local authorities remind residents that the city does have a fireworks ordinance.  Violations can lead to a fine of $150 for the first offense, $250 per violation after the first citation.  Fireworks are allowed from 10am to midnight on July 4th.  Fireworks are allowed 5pm until 2 hours after sunset, on the following dates:

June 29

June 30

July 1

July 2

July 3

July 5

July 6

July 7

July 8

July 9

Below you will find the full text of the Fishers ordinance governing fireworks.  (Note: you may see references to the town…attorneys with the City of Fishers say the ordinance is still in force even though Fishers has now become a city).

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§ 99.01 DEFINITION OF CONSUMER FIREWORK.

§ 99.01 DEFINITION OF CONSUMER FIREWORK.

For purpose of this chapter, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

CONSUMER FIREWORK.

(1) A small firework that is designed primarily to produce visible effects by combustion and that is required to comply with the construction, chemical composition, and labeling regulations promulgated by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission under 16 CFR 1507. The term also includes some small devices designed to produce an audible effect, such as whistling devices, ground devices containing 50 milligrams or less of explosive composition, and aerial devices containing 130 milligrams or less of explosive composition. Propelling or expelling charges consisting of a mixture of charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate are not considered as designed to produce an audible effect. CONSUMER FIREWORK includes but may not be limited to the following:

(a) Aerial devices, which include sky rockets, missile type rockets, helicopter or aerial spinners, roman candles, mines, and shells;

(b) Ground audible devices, which include firecrackers, salutes, and chasers; and

(c) Firework devices containing combinations of the effects described in divisions (1)(a) and (b) above.

(1) The following items are specifically excluded from the definition of CONSUMER FIREWORK:

(a) Model rockets;

(b) Toy pistol caps;

(c) Emergency signal flares;

(d) Matches;

(e) Fixed ammunition for firearms;

(f) Ammunition components intended for use in firearms, muzzle loading cannons, or small arms;

(g) Shells, cartridges, and primers for use in firearms, muzzle loading cannons, or small arms;

(h) Indoor pyrotechnics special effects material; or

(i) M-80s, cherry bombs, silver salutes, and any device banned by the federal government.

(3) In addition, the following items are excluded from the definition of CONSUMER FIREWORKS but are and shall continue to be subject to applicable permitting requirements and state statutes governing fireworks:

(a) Dipped sticks or wire sparklers;

(b) Cylindrical fountains;

(c) Cone fountains;

(d) Illuminating torches;

(e) Wheels;

(f) Ground spinners;

(g) Flitter sparklers;

(h) Snakes or glow worms;

(i) Smoke devices; and

(j) Trick noisemakers, which include:

1. Party poppers;

2. Booby traps;

3. Snappers;

4. Trick matches;

5. Cigarette loads; and

6. Auto burglar alarms.

(Ord. 041513C, passed 4-15-13)

§ 99.02 USE OF CONSUMER FIREWORKS WITHIN THE TOWN.

§ 99.02 USE OF CONSUMER FIREWORKS WITHIN THE TOWN.

It shall be unlawful to use or display or permit to be used or displayed within Fishers’ municipal boundaries any type of consumer firework on any day or time other than the following:

(A) Between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and two hours after sunset on June 29, June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3, July 5, July 6, July 7, July 8, and July 9;

(B) Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight on July 4; and

(C) Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. on December 31 and 1:00 a.m. on January 1.

(Ord. 041513C, passed 4-15-13)

§ 99.03 SUPERVISED PUBLIC DISPLAYS.

§ 99.03 SUPERVISED PUBLIC DISPLAYS.

This chapter shall not apply to supervised public displays of fireworks by municipalities, fair associations, amusement parks, and other organizations or groups of individuals, all of which are and shall continue to be subject to applicable permitting requirements and state statutes.

(Ord. 041513C, passed 4-15-13)

§ 99.04 ENFORCEMENT.

§ 99.04 ENFORCEMENT.

The Fishers Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Fishers Police Department shall be charged with enforcing the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 041513C, passed 4-15-13)

§ 99.99 PENALTY.

§ 99.99 PENALTY.

Any person, firm or corporation who violates this chapter shall be subject to a fine of $150 for the first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense. A separate offense shall be deemed committed upon each day during which a violation occurs or continues.

(Ord. 041513C, passed 4-15-13)

Reminder- Indiana law restricts the use of fireworks to the following:

·         On the user’s property;

On the property of someone who has consented to the use of fireworks on their property

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board voted to bring in more portable classroom space, but Superintendent Allen Bourff told board members he will need to have a discussion on how to provide more permanent classroom space, with the additional classes and teachers coming on line after the approval of the recent tax referendum.

Bourff said he needs to have a talk with board members about “the permanent solution to our facilities at the elementary (schools).”   Bourff says he may be prepared as early as the July 13th board session to discuss this issue.  When voters approved the referendum in this year’s primary election, classrooms were added in elementary buildings with the largest class sizes.  The school system is entering into 3-year leases for portable classrooms to provide additional classroom space.

There were several other facilities issues the board handled at the Wednesday night session.

Now that the elementary schools will have assistant principals, 7 buildings will need renovation.   HSE Schools Facilities Manager Harry Delks says the plans are still preliminary and he has no cost estimate yet.

The high school College and Career Academies are not quite one year old, and Board President Karen Harmer asked about the follow-up on unfinished items.  Delks said that is in process now and he should have a report by the July 13th board meeting.  Harmer asked that Brad Skillman, representing the contractor, be present at the July 13th session.

The board approved new signs to be placed around the Fishers High School complex allowing visitors to more easily find areas such as athletic facilities and entrances.  The board did not approve the main sign at 131st Street and Promise Road, because board members want administrators to work with the architects to improve and possibly enlarge the lettering on that sign.   HSE High School is working on a new signage plan that should be before the board soon.

Fishers Police Chief George Kehl is retiring after a 36-year law enforcement career in Fishers.  He barely lost a bid to serve on the Hamilton County Council in this year’s primary election, but Chief Kehl says he is not finished with politics yet, although he didn’t say what office he may choose to run for in the future.

Here is my Podcast talk with George Kehl.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has provided an update on the work going on along I-69 and the construction preparations for rebuilding Exit 210 along the same interstate highway.

Patching work will continue overnight, 9pm-6am, through next week.  The new ashphalt work is to begin next week on the highway between Exit 210 and Exit 2015 (116th St.).

Residents will also see work at the Exit 210 site, where cranes and other equipment will be put into place.

For more details, see the news release below from INDOT, issued June 7th:

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Interstate 69 from Exit 210 to Exit 205

Milestone Contractors plans to begin tonight patching existing pavement on southbound Interstate 69 between Campus/Southeastern Parkway Exit 210 and State Road 37 Exit 205.

Milestone expects to finish patching on northbound I-69 between Exit 205 and Exit 210 this week and begin paving a new asphalt overlay on the section next week.

Patching and paving operations require alternating lane restrictions from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. six nights a week on Monday through Saturday nights.

One lane of I-69 will remain open at all times, and two lanes will remain open during peak daytime travel times. The speed limit on I-69 through the work zone is reduced to 60 mph and further reduced to 50 mph when workers are present.

After existing pavement is resurfaced, crews will start work to rehabilitate interstate bridges. Traffic lanes between Exit 205 and Exit 210 will be shifted toward the outside shoulders to set temporary concrete barriers and begin construction of an additional travel lane in the median.

After existing pavement is patched and resurfaced, two traffic lanes will be shifted toward the outside shoulder to allow space to build an additional lane in the median.

Campus/Southeastern Parkway Exit 210

Milestone is mobilizing cranes and other equipment at the Campus/Southeastern Parkway interchange, setting temporary concrete barrier along I-69, and widening the abutments and center pier for the bridge over I-69.  To see recent photos, go to this link.

Construction of the new interchange configuration is scheduled to begin after Independence Day (July 4).  The first phase will begin building the new ramps and will prepare for shifting traffic into a double-crossover diamond configuration later this summer, which is intended to improve traffic flow during widening of the bridge deck and construction of the permanent interchange improvements.

The first phase of construction will begin building the new ramps and will prepare to shift traffic into a double-crossover diamond configuration through the remainder of construction

About the project

INDOT and the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) have selected a $92 million proposal from Milestone Contractors and United Consulting to add a travel lane and rehabilitate 15 miles of I-69 in Hamilton and Madison counties as part of Indiana’s Major Moves 2020 program.  The project will:

• Resurface 15 miles of existing interstate pavement;
• Rehabilitate existing interstate bridges and drainage structures;
• Add a third travel lane to the interstate median in each direction from State Road 37 (Exit 205) in Fishers to north of State Road 38 (Exit 214) in Pendleton;
• Add a southbound lane to the right outside shoulder between the 116th Street entrance ramp and the future 106th Street exit ramp, which is currently under construction;
• Reconfigure the Campus Parkway interchange (Exit 210) into a double crossover diamond design to improve traffic flow;
• Widen the Campus Parkway bridge over I-69;
• Rebuild and lower the State Road 13 (Exit 214) pavement under I-69;
• Rehabilitate the Brooks School Road and Madison County Road 650W bridges over I-69

 Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2017. Updates about construction schedules will be announced as work progresses.

This is an era when we are all automatically suspicious of nearly everything in life.  Scams, in person and online, can cost you a great deal.  Sometimes, you can even become a crime victim.  So, being careful is the normal procedure these days.

However, people in Fishers need to know there actually is a census going on.  There are census workers out in the neighborhoods working on the census count.  City government officials are encouraging local residents to cooperate with the census.

The city is paying for this special census.  Normally, a national census happens once every 10 years, with the next one set for the year 2020.  But Fishers has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years.  The 2010 census listed the Fishers population as 83, 891. Based on estimates by city officials, that figure is creeping up closer to 90,000.

The official population count from the census is very important.  It dictates what share of state and federal money the city receives. The higher the population based on the official census, the more state and federal money will fill our city coffers.  That benefits everyone in Fishers.  The cost to the city paying for this census will be paid back many times over in additional funds from other sources, based in the higher population count.

Be clear about one thing – all of Fishers is not being counted in this census.  The city is paying the feds to verify the population count only in the growing areas of the city.  That lowered the overall cost to the city.

Eric Moeller, City Councilor and Chair of the City Council Finance Committee, posted on Facebook concerns he is receiving from constituents about the census.  Yes, the census is legitimate. You can ask for the census workers ID.  If you are suspicious you can call the Fishers Police.  But be aware there are census workers fanning out in the population growth areas of Fishers.  It is in your interest, and your fellow city dwellers interest, to cooperate with the census.  It is real.

If you want more details on the special census being conducted in parts of Fishers, use this link.